Review: 2018 Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage Selection Napa Valley
While Krug also makes a $35 Napa Valley Cabernet, Charles Krug’s luxe Vintage Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, also hailing from Napa Valley, is denoted by the crimson banner that runs across the top left corner of the label.
A dense, fully opaque wine, this is about as classic an expression of Napa cab as you can get. Bold blackcurrants and blackberries are tempered by heavy tannins on the nose, balancing one another out to reach a tentative detente. It’s a wine that’s not quite ready today, as the tannin isn’t ready to give up much of the fight, and underlying notes of spearmint, sage, and a bolder vanilla core can all be detected, waiting in the wings. Naturally at this price the wine is intended for cellaring to some extent. 2026 might be a good starting point to see if things are starting to loosen up.
It’s also worth noting that I sampled two bottles of this release, both of which had leaking corks. That’s either very bad luck or something to watch out for… or both.
B+ / $175 / charleskrug.com
2018 Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage Selection Napa Valley
$175
